Arizona’s rural students are diverse, poor and many are trailing academically, and a new report finds that the schools they attend have the second highest needs of any state in the nation.

Why Rural Matters, a 50-state report released today by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Rural School and Community Trust, describes inequities in funding and opportunity that are leading to significant gaps in opportunity and achievement. The report urges state and federal leaders to make rural students and their communities a far greater priority. Along with a state snapshot, the report also provides analysis of STEM, early education, English-language learner programs in rural school districts and offers solutions.